Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-03-23
THE BIDS OPENED
For Gun and ArmOr PIate-The Bethlehem
Works Successful.


Works Successful.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-The opening
OF the bids for the gun steel and armour
plate, at the Navy Department, this
morning, developed the fact that none of
the Pittsburg firms cared to enter the COM
petition, and that the Bethlehem works,
with European assistance, had been max
ing arrangements for just such Govern
ment contracts for over year.
The figures presented by the various bid
ders were as follows:
Cambria Iron Works-For gun steel,
about 1900 tOnsy $S5l, ,5l39a
Midyale Iron Works-Forgun steel, ST.
397, ,24O.
Bethlehem Works-Gun steel, 1902, ,230.-
80, armOr plate, about 6,7OO tons, S3,61O,-
TO7.5O.
Cleveland Rolling Mill Company-Armor
plate, $4, ,O2l, $50.
The most interesting communication was
from the Bethlehem Iron Works, which
added TO each bid the statement that they
should claim the consideration promised in
the advertisement to firms bidding on both
the gun steel and the armor plates. They
also submitted a letter giving statement
of the preparations they had made for the
work and asying, among other things, that
the Bethlehem Iron Company has been
most diligently engaged for more than a
year in constructing a complete plant OF
forging machinery and tools adapted to the
fabrication of all the parts Of the largest
guns used in any part OF the world and of
the shafts that may be required for vessels
of any size that the United States Govern
ment' may require. and in erecting the
necessary buildings III which to do this
work. The establishment when completed
will Ne in every respect able to compete
with any establishment in Europe.
Second-It has contracted with one Of
the largest and most successful concerns IN
Europe engaged in making steel armor
plate for the necessary aid, superintend-
ence, use of patents, and guarantee or Its
work, and has arranged for hammer OF
the largest class, if that be necessary, for
the successful prosecution and completion
OF the work required by the Government.
lnuu-l uc OulAl plliS hth' uP " tAiA' 1919
expended in cash on the forging plant
alone, between $780, 900 aud S4OO, 900,
and IL under contract obligations to the
extent of $500, goo additional for machin-
ery and tools To he delivered within the
current year. The amount required to
complete the plants for both guns and ar
NOR plate will be in all abOut 81, 500, 600,
and for this the financial arrangements are
completed.
Fourth-The company has now in opera
ton seven blast furnaces, it owns or con
trolls large deposits of ore particularly suit
able for such iron rs is required for steel
torgingS, for that it is certain OF obtaining
the best and most uniform quality OF metal
without being subject to the difficulty and
uncertainty of purchasing in the market
suitable material.
Fifth-In addition to what is being done
in the way of special preparation Tor this
heavy class of work, the Bethlehem Com
many now has in use in connection with Its
present work large machine shop thor
oughly equipped with the largest and most
effective tools in the country, foundry,
smith shop and other necessary adyanta-
res. and is now turning out about 4,5OO
tons of steel a week.
Secretary Whitney was very much grati-
fed at the preparation for doing the work,
and expressed his satisfaction very freely.
The award will be made within fifteen
daya